US secretary of state assures Western Balkans of support for path toward European Union integration

By LLAZAR SEMINI
Associated Press

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has visited Albania to reaffirm relations with a key partner in the region and assure Western Balkan countries of Washington’s support for their integration into the European Union. Blinken met with top officials Thursday and focused on the future of the Western Balkans as Albania and several neighbors seek to join the European Union. Washington has strongly supported Albania’s integration into the EU. The U.S. has praised Albania’s leadership in the once war-torn region and its recent role on the U.N. Security Council as a non-permanent member. Albania is a NATO member and has regularly assigned small army units to international peacekeeping missions and NATO operations.